Dani gave a quick word of thanks to the Lord, then Ariel chose a sandwich. “Doreen would have come right along with me. Mr. Augo takes up most of Aunt Dahlia’s free time.”
“Do you think your aunt will stay and continue her romance after the concert?”
“That could go either way.”
Dani popped open her Dr Pepper and took a sip. “What about your island romance? Do you plan to see Caleb after you leave?”
“I’m not sure. Things have gotten—complicated.”
“In what way?”
The fact that she’d seen the question coming didn’t make the answer less awkward. Neither did the genuine concern in her cousin’s eyes.
Before Ariel could decide what to say, her phone vibrated, thank the Lord. She checked the message. Set down her barely touched sandwich. “It’s Aunt Dahlia. She says there’s an emergency.”
Dani’s smile turned to a smirk. “A real emergency, or does she think you’re secretly on a date?”
“This island’s too small for secrets.”
When Ariel arrived at their suite minutes later, her aunt had packed several outfits and had started stowing away a few wigs. “What’s happening, Auntie?”
Aunt Dahlia looked up from her suitcase and wiped her nose with a rose-colored linen handkerchief, her eyes red. “Aunt Winnie called. Uncle Clarence went to the hospital in an ambulance.”
An unnerving sense of foreboding crowded out all other thought. Great-great-Uncle Clarence—a musical giant in Tennessee mountain country and one of the gentlest men she knew.
“It’s his heart. They’re running tests.”
Uncle Clarence, who’d taught Ariel to play guitar and violin and how the Nashville number system worked in a band. But more than that, he was the uncle who remembered banana saltwater taffy was her favorite candy, so he always carried some in his pickup for her. Who taught her to make a garden and play pinochle.
Her childhood friend who’d helped to fill the empty space in her heart during her preteen years, when her lifestyle left no room for friends her age.
“He’s eighty-five years old and raised me like a daughter. Taught me everything I know about music. Got me on the Grand Ole Opry stage when I was fourteen.” Aunt Dahlia folded her favorite white robe and laid it in the suitcase. “I’m flying to Gatlinburg.”
Ariel groaned inwardly. Not today—three days before the concert.
“Prepare yourself to sing alone, because my gut tells me that’s what’s going to happen.”
Aunt Dahlia’s gut was almost always right.
Ariel kicked off her strappy sandals, climbed in her aunt’s bed, and pulled the covers over her head. “Maybe I’ll hide and skip the concert.”
“You’re more professional than that.”
“For just a moment, I can pretend I’m not.”
“One other thing…”
The tone of her aunt’s voice put Ariel on her guard. She lowered the covers.
“I plan to ask Auggie to come with me to Tennessee.”
No big surprise.
“Our time here has been a balm to me after decades of looking after myself, looking after you.” She poked Ariel gently in the ribs. “I don’t regret looking after you. It was my greatest joy. But to have Auggie with me when I need him…I’ve wished for that most of my life.”
Yes, Ariel could see that. “Aunt Dahlia, why don’t you marry him?”
“And give the whole world a heart attack?”
